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Reusable water bottles: The new fast fashion? Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Reusable bottles are everywhere – on your desk at work, at the gym, on a day out, doing a job in the fight against single-use plastic. But if we have multiple versions of refillable water bottles, are they just becoming fast fashion?

The global, refillable water bottle industry is worth $10 billion and it is growing at a rate of about 5% a year. Several brands have become household names with international offices across continents.

But these types of bottles are energy-intensive. Research suggests manufacturing a single reusable bottle can produce more emissions than producing a single-use plastic version, but that it works out better for the environment once it has been used multiple times. We look at the enormous growth in refillable bottles, and how celebrities and influencers have driven sales.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Producer/presenter: Rick Kelsey

(Photo: A young woman drinks from a water bottle in Central Park, NYC. Credit: Getty Images)

The fight for Guatemala's lakes Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

We’re in the Central American country to hear a tale of two lakes.

One, Lake Amatitlan, is badly polluted and there's concerns that the other – Lake Atitlan - once nominated as one of the seven new wonders of the world and - is in danger of going that way too.

We hear about the costs needed to clean up these important tourist attractions, and hear about the loss of income for local businesses. Produced and presented by Jane Chambers

(Image: A worker picks up rubbish on the shore of Lake Amatilan, Guatemala, during a voluntary clean up day in August 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

The threat to sabotage undersea cables Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Countries considered hostile to the West are threatening to cut under sea cables, which carry 95 percent of the world’s data.

China, Iran and Russia are suspected of threatening to sabotage cables, carrying 95% of the world’s data, which makes the network vital to the global economy.

Russell Padmore examines how the lines laid on ocean floors are the backbone of the internet, so they need to be protected, but international military cooperation is limited.

Produced and presented by Russell Padmore

(Image: An undersea cable between Helsinki and Rostock which was laid in 2015. Credit: Getty Images)

Business Daily Meets: Makiko Ono Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

We speak to one of Japan's very few female CEOs.

Makiko Ono leads Suntory Beverage and Food, part of the Suntory conglomerate that makes soft drinks including Orangina, Lucozade and Ribena.

She shares her 40-plus years journey at the company; including how she led company's first acquisition to opening doors for the next generation of women in business.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood

(Image: Makiko Ono, chief executive officer of Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd, at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on 23 March 2023. Credit Getty Images)

Rebuilding Africa’s largest second-hand clothes market Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Ed Butler travels to Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana.

15 million used garments arrive in Ghana every week from all over the world - most ends up at Kantamanto but a lot can't be sold because it's in poor condition. That ends up as landfill.

Just weeks after Ed’s visit, a disastrous fire raised it to the ground, so he’s been back in touch with some of the vendors he spoke to as they try and get the market, and their livelihoods, up and running again.

Produced and presented by Ed Butler

What now for Canada? Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

After Justin Trudeau resigned as prime minister last month, what does the in-tray look like for Canada’s next leader?

The country is facing a major challenge from new US president Donald Trump who introduced 25% tariffs on Canadian exports - now postponed for 30 days - and is even questioning the country's identity.

But Canada also has a list of problems to address from within, such as rising property costs and new rules on immigration.

We find out how people are feeling – and what happens next.

Produced by Megan Lawton

Presented by Sam Gruet

(Image: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation during a news conference in Ottowa, Canada on 6 January 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Why do Germans take so much time off sick? Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

The country’s sick leave policy is one of the most generous in the world.

Employees get full pay for the first six weeks they’re off, after that their health insurance policy will pay them a large portion of their salary for a further 18 months.

This means the culture around taking sick leave is different to other countries, and the average worker takes 20 days off sick each year.

We find out why, and look at the impact on business and the German economy.

Produced and presented by Hannah Mullane

(Image: German commuters on bikes at a junction. Credit: Getty Images)

California’s insurance crisis Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Thousands of homes burned to the ground in the recent wildfires in Los Angeles which will likely become the most expensive natural disaster in US history.

Many victims did not have insurance, because they couldn’t afford California’s increasingly expensive policies or because they were dropped by their insurer.

Lexy O’Connor meets some of those affected and finds out what’s fuelling California’s insurance crisis.

Presented and produced by Lexy O'Connor

(Image: Two people survey the damage during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on 8 January 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Business Daily meets: GoFundMe's Tim Cadogan Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Whether its for medical expenses, college funds, charity campaigns, chances are you've been asked to donate to a fundraiser online.

GoFundMe is one of the biggest of the crowdfunding platforms, generating an estimated $30bn in funds since it launched in 2010.

CEO Tim Cadogan tells us about joining as CEO in 2020, and the challenges of running a profit making company in a charity space.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones

(Image: Tim Cadogan. Credit: Getty Images)

The gamification of fitness Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Advances in technology mean more people have devices which offer incentives and rewards for achieving fitness goals.

From hi tech gyms to interactive home works outs, we explore why some companies are embracing this approach.

It’s boosting user engagement and transforming workouts, but are trackers and leader boards a positive step? And is this what the future holds for fitness?

Produced and presented by Sean Allsop

(Image: A fitness class. Credit: Getty Images)

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